U.S. patent application number 12/725978 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-23 for protective sleeve for rear window wiper.
Invention is credited to John F. Schneider.
Application Number | 20100236675 12/725978 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42736453 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100236675 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schneider; John F. |
September 23, 2010 |
Protective Sleeve for Rear Window Wiper
Abstract
A wiper protector fits over a rear window wiper to prevent
damage to the wiper from a mechanized or automated car wash. The
wiper protector is open on one end for slipping over the wiper
blade, arm and wiper motor components if exposed. The sleeve
includes a cutout at the open end to fit over the wiper motor
components. A drawstring near the open end passes through the
sleeve guided by non-marring grommets near the sleeve open end. A
drawstring lock maintains tension on the drawstring during use.
Inventors: |
Schneider; John F.;
(Sacramento, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
AVERILL & GREEN
8244 PAINTER AVE.
WHITTIER
CA
90602
US
|
Family ID: |
42736453 |
Appl. No.: |
12/725978 |
Filed: |
March 17, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61161512 |
Mar 19, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
150/154 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60S 1/583 20130101;
B60S 2001/3843 20130101; B60S 1/0455 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
150/154 |
International
Class: |
B65D 65/02 20060101
B65D065/02 |
Claims
1. A wiper protector comprising: a sleeve having a sleeve interior
for enclosing a wiper blade, a wiper arm and wiper motor
components; a cutout on a rear surface of the sleeve to allow an
open end of the sleeve to slide over the wiper motor components; a
cinching band proximal to the open end for cinching the sleeve
around the wiper.
2. The wiper protector of claim 1, wherein the cinching band is
positioned on the sleeve to cinch the sleeve around the wiper arm
between the wiper blade and the wiper motor components.
3. The wiper protector of claim 1, wherein the cinching band does
not overlap the cutout.
4. The wiper protector of claim 1, wherein the cinching band
comprises a belt and a buckle.
5. The wiper protector of claim 1, wherein the cinching band
comprises a drawstring.
6. The wiper protector of claim 5, wherein: two front grommets
reside on a front surface of the sleeve and two rear grommets
reside on the rear surface of the sleeve; and the drawstring passes
through the front grommets on the front surface, through the sleeve
interior, through the rear grommets on the rear surface of the
sleeve, and across the rear surface of the sleeve between the
grommets on the rear surface of the sleeve.
7. The wiper protector of claim 6, wherein ends of the drawstring
above the front surface of the sleeve pass through a drawstring
lock for cinching the drawstring.
8. The wiper protector of claim 6, wherein the rear grommets are
made from a material which, upon contact with the auto, will not
damage the auto or its finish.
9. The wiper protector of claim 6, wherein the rear grommets are
made from thermoplastic polymer to avoid damaging vehicle
paint.
10. The wiper protector of claim 6, wherein a belt is sewn around
the exterior of the sleeve and the grommets are attached to the
belt and the drawstring passes through the belt.
11. The wiper protector of claim 1, wherein the sleeve includes a
stiffening spine along the longitudinal length of the sleeve.
12. The wiper protector of claim 11, wherein the stiffening spine
is a sewn seam along an inside edge of a folded sheet of flat
material forming the finished sleeve.
13. The wiper protector of claim 12, wherein the stiffening spine
is an approximately 1/2 inch wide sewn seam along the edge of the
folded sheet of flat material forming the finished sleeve.
14. The wiper protector of claim 1 wherein: the sleeve is
constructed of a material wherein contact of the material with the
vehicle will not harm the vehicle and will not harm the vehicle
finish; the material is sufficiently strong to withstand the
impacts of the car wash mechanisms over extended periods of use;
and the material is suitable for presenting a logo, writing,
graphics, and may be any of printed on, screened, and
embroidered.
15. A wiper protector comprising: a sleeve made from a folded sheet
of material and having a sleeve interior for enclosing a wiper
blade, a wiper arm and wiper motor components; an open end of the
sleeve allowing sliding the sleeve over a windshield wiper and a
closed end opposite the open end; a stiffening spine comprising a
sewn seam along an inside edge of the sleeve; a cutout on a rear
surface of the sleeve at the open end of the sleeve to allow a
portion of a front surface of the sleeve opposite the cutout to
cover the wiper motor components; a belt sewn to the exterior of
the sleeve proximal to the open end and past the cutout and
positioned on the sleeve between the wiper blade and the wiper
motor components; two front grommets spaced apart on the front
surface of the sleeve and two rear grommets spaced apart on the
rear surface of the sleeve, the grommets comprising pressed
together two piece plastic grommets; and a drawstring crossing the
rear face of the sleeve between the rear grommets, passing through
the rear grommets into the interior of the sleeve, passing through
the interior of the sleeve and out of the interior of the sleeve
through the front grommets and through a drawstring lock.
16. A vehicle and a rear wiper protector comprising: a vehicle
having a rear windshield; a wiper mechanism attached to the vehicle
for wiping water from the rear windshield, the wiper mechanism
comprising a wiper blade, a wiper arm and wiper motor components; a
sleeve made from a folded sheet of material and having a sleeve
interior for enclosing the wiper blade, the wiper arm and the wiper
motor components; an open end of the sleeve allowing sliding the
sleeve over a windshield wiper and a closed end opposite the open
end; a stiffening spine comprising a sewn seam along an inside edge
of the sleeve; a cutout on a rear surface of the sleeve at the open
end of the sleeve to allow a portion of a front surface of the
sleeve opposite the cutout to cover the wiper motor components; a
belt sewn to the exterior of the sleeve proximal to the open end
and past the cutout and positioned on the sleeve between the wiper
blade and the wiper motor components; two front grommets spaced
apart on the front surface of the sleeve and two rear grommets
spaced apart on the rear surface of the sleeve, the grommets
comprising crimp together two piece plastic grommets; and a
drawstring crossing the rear face of the sleeve between the rear
grommets, passing through the rear grommets into the interior of
the sleeve, passing through the interior of the sleeve and out of
the interior of the sleeve through the front grommets and through a
drawstring lock, the drawstring cinching the sleeve between the
wiper blade and the wiper motor components to hold the wiper
protector in place on the wiper mechanism when the vehicle is in a
car wash to protect the wiper mechanism from damage by the car
wash.
Description
[0001] The present application claims the priority of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/161,512 filed Mar. 19,
2009, which application is incorporated in its entirety herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to sleeves for protecting
exposed members of vehicles running through mechanized or automated
car washes and in particular to a sleeve for protecting a rear
window wiper of vehicles being washed by the car washes.
[0003] In our hurried society many vehicle drivers utilize
mechanized or automated car washes to maintain clean vehicles. The
International Carwash Association estimates the professional car
wash industry is a $23 billion annual industry. Unfortunately, a
large number of rear window wipers on vehicles are being damaged
during washing by these car wash mechanisms. Bosch, a European
automotive and industrial technology company with 45.4 Billion in
sales, estimates over 30% of autos on the road today have a rear
window wiper blade. The mechanized or automated car washes are
comprised of mechanisms including spinning or moving brushes and
chamois that contact the vehicle, the components of which often
become entangled in the wiper blade, wiper arm, and/or its
components. When an entanglement occurs, the wiper blade, wiper
arm, associated components; the vehicle; and/or the car wash
mechanisms are damaged. For example, mechanized or automated car
wash brushes may grab the wiper arm and rip the arm away from the
window, or the brushes may be caught between motor housings of the
wipers and rip the wiper blades away from the housings. In either
case, the wipers and/or wiper mechanisms are often damaged.
[0004] Data from the International Carwash Association (ICA)
indicates that approximately 40 percent of vehicle damage from
mechanized and automated car washes is wiper damage. Some carwash
operators have reported that wiper damage is their number one
problem. Some carwash operators tape wipers down before the vehicle
is run through the car wash, and some carwash operators report
spending $200 per month on tape for this purpose. Other carwash
operators use plastic bags to cover the wipers and some car wash
operators use both the tape and plastic bags. Unfortunately,
neither the tape, plastic bags, nor both work in all cases. For
example, the tape may not hold because of too much power from the
car wash mechanisms and failure of the tape to adhere to the
vehicle. As a result, damage often occurs even when the wiper was
taped and covered with a plastic bag.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,247,201 for "Rear Wiper Blade Protective
Device" discloses a hard cylindrical tube with suction cups for
attachment. The user slides the tube over the windshield wiper
blade and presses the suction cups against the window glass to
retain the tube on the wiper blade. While the device of the '201
patent provides some protection, it fails to provide an adequate
solution. For example, known rear window wipers come to rest on a
blade support which holds the blade away from the window glass. The
blade support interferes with the ability of the device of the '201
patent to cover the wiper and prevents the attachment of the
suction cups. Additionally, a gap exposes a portion of the wiper
blade and/or wiper arm, and elements of the automatic car wash can
catch on the exposed elements and rip the wiper away from the
vehicle. The hard plastic components of the device of the '201
patent themselves can cause entanglement with the car wash
mechanisms. When this device of the '201 patent becomes dislodged
during the wash process, its hard components may further damage the
vehicle. The '201 patent is herein incorporated by reference.
[0006] Therefore, a need remains for successfully protecting rear
window wipers in mechanized or automated carwashes.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention addresses the above and other needs by
providing a wiper protector which fits over a rear window wiper to
prevent damage to the wiper from a mechanized or automated car
wash. The wiper protector is open on one end for slipping over the
wiper blade, arm and wiper motor components if exposed. The sleeve
includes a cutout at the open end to fit over the wiper motor
components. A drawstring near the open end passes through the
sleeve guided by non-marring grommets near the sleeve open end. A
plastic drawstring lock maintains tension on the drawstring during
use.
[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there
are provided an apparatus and securement components which are
constructed completely of material that will not harm the vehicle
or mar the vehicle's finish during installation and removal, while
installed, and during the car wash process.
[0009] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the
wiper protector is secured to the vehicle using either a
drawstring, passed through non-marring grommets or a sewn
drawstring pocket, with a tightening device; a hook and loop strap
attached to the sleeve; a webbing strap and quick release buckle;
or similar components which cinch the sleeve around the wiper arm
and can also be placed around the wiper motor shaft, wiper motor,
or the glass or door handle and be secured thereto by tightening,
buckling, clipping, or similar fastening methods.
[0010] In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the
wiper protector covers and protects the wiper drive shaft, motor
components, cover, and glass/door handle. The wiper protector is
constructed of materials which will not harm or mar the vehicle or
its finish. The wiper protector is shaped and constructed to
prevent entanglement of car wash mechanisms. The sleeve design
incorporates a stiffening spine to ease installation and removal.
The wiper protector may be constructed and shaped to fit all types
of wiper designs and vehicles and has multiple methods for securing
it to the wiper and vehicle. The wiper protector may include a
handle to ease its installation and removal. The wiper protector
may be used on any wiper attached to a vehicle including rear
glass, front glass, and headlamps.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0011] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the
present invention will be more apparent from the following more
particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the
following drawings wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a side view of a vehicle with a rear window
wiper.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the vehicle with the rear window
wiper.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a front view of a wiper protector according to the
present invention.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the wiper protector according to
the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a view of a closed end of the wiper protector
according to the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the wiper protector
according to the present invention taken along line 6-6 of FIG.
4.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a second cross-sectional view of the wiper
protector according to the present invention taken along line 7-7
of FIG. 4.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a front view of the wiper protector.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a rear view of the vehicle with the wiper
protector according to the present invention residing over the
wiper.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a detailed view of the wiper protector according
to the present invention residing over the wiper.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the wiper protector
according to the present invention residing over the wiper taken
along line 11-11 of FIG. 10.
[0023] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
components throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] The following description is of the best mode presently
contemplated for carrying out the invention. This description is
not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the
purpose of describing one or more preferred embodiments of the
invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with
reference to the claims.
[0025] A side view of a vehicle 10 with a rear window wiper 16 on a
rear window 12 of the vehicle 10 is shown in FIG. 1 and a rear view
of the vehicle 10 with the rear window wiper 16 is shown in FIG. 2.
The wiper 16 is connected to an exposed wiper motor 14 by a wiper
arm 15, but may be connected to a shaft connected to a wiper motor
inside the vehicle body. The wiper 16 is held away from the window
12 by a blade support 18 when not in operation.
[0026] A front view of a wiper protector 20 according to the
present invention is shown in FIG. 3, a rear view of the wiper
protector 20 is shown in FIG. 4, and a view of a closed end 22a of
the wiper protector 20 is shown in FIG. 5. The wiper protector 20
includes a sleeve 22 with special features for the intended use.
The sleeve 22 includes a cutout 24 provided on the rear surface 22d
of the sleeve 22 at an open end 22b opposite the closed end 22a. A
belt 26 is sewn around the sleeve 22 near the open end 22b, but not
overlapping the cut out 24. Two grommets 28 reside on both the
front and rear surfaces 22c and 22d of the sleeve 22 (a total of
four grommets) and are preferably attached to the sleeve 22 through
the belt 26. The grommets are made of a specialized material which,
upon contact with the auto, will not damage the auto or its finish,
and the grommets are preferably made from thermoplastic polymer to
avoid damaging vehicle paint and available from Plastgrommet in
Spain and are pressed (or crimped) together two piece grommets. The
belt 26 is preferably made from woven nylon material. The loose
ends 30a of the drawstring 30 pass through a drawstring lock 32 for
holding the drawstring 30 in a cinched condition.
[0027] A cross-sectional view of the sleeve 22 taken along line 6-6
of FIG. 4 showing the closed end 22a is shown in FIG. 6 and a
second cross-sectional view of the sleeve 22 taken along line 7-7
of FIG. 4 showing the drawstring 30 is shown in FIG. 7. The
drawstring 30 extends through the sleeve 22 between the grommets 28
and is preferably exposed outside the rear side of the sleeve 22 to
encircle and engage the wiper motor components 14 (see FIG. 2) and
when cinched, preferably secures the wiper protector 20 on the
wiper arm.
[0028] A stiffening spine 23 is formed along one edge of the sleeve
22. The stiffening spine 23 is formed by a sewn seam along an edge
of a folded sheet of flat material forming the sleeve 22, where
about one half of an inch of the flat material extends past the
seam to create the stiffening spine 23 inside the sleeve 22. The
stiffening spine 23 helps the sleeve 22 maintain shape and
simplifies sliding the sleeve 22 over the wiper 16.
[0029] A front view of the wiper protector 20 showing dimensions is
shown in FIG. 8. The wiper protector 20 has an overall length Ls, a
first width Ws1 at the open end, and a second width Ws2 at the
closed end. The length Ls is preferably between 23 and 25 inches to
fit a typical rear window wiper, but may be much shorter for a
headlight wiper. The width Ws1 is preferably approximately one inch
greater than the width Ws2 to allow the wiper protector 20 to slide
completely over the wiper motor 14 and provide a good fit to the
smaller wiper blade 16, and described absolute terms, the width Ws1
is preferably approximately 7.5 inches and the width Ws2 is
preferably approximately 6.5 inches with the sleeve laying flat.
The cutout 24 has a width Wc and a depth Dc. The width Wc is
preferably approximately 4.5 inches and the depth Dc is preferably
approximately 2.5 inches. The belt 26 has a width Wb and resides
centered a depth Db from the open end 22b. The width Wb is
preferably approximately two inches and the depth Db is preferably
approximately four inches.
[0030] The dimensions described above are for a wiper protector for
use with a typical rear window wiper, and a wiper protector having
the features of the wiper protector herein described but having
different dimensions for a different size rear window wiper, or a
headlight wiper, is intended to come within the scope of the
present invention.
[0031] A rear view of the vehicle 10 with the wiper protector 20
according to the present invention residing over the wiper 16, and
associated components wiper motor 14 and wiper arm 15, is shown in
FIG. 9, a detailed view of the wiper protector 20 residing over the
wiper 16 is shown in FIG. 10, and a cross-sectional view of the
wiper protector 20 residing over the wiper 16, and associated
components wiper motor 14 and wiper arm 15, taken along line 11-11
of FIG. 10 is shown in FIG. 11. The wiper protector 20 is shown
with the drawstring 30 cinched and held by the lock 32 to engage
the wiper arm 15 (see FIG. 2) to secure the wiper protector 20 on
the wiper.
[0032] While the invention herein disclosed has been described by
means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous
modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled
in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set
forth in the claims.
* * * * *